Why during Pradushan meal needs to be eaten 48 mins before sunset why 48 exact mins?
Food should not be eaten two ghadies, or 48 minutes, prior to sunset [Source 2]. This specific duration of 48 minutes is based on the traditional Indian division of a day into 60 Ghadies, with each Ghadie lasting 24 minutes; therefore, a period of two Ghadies equals 48 minutes [Source 1].
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The knowledge base does not specifically address the use of parchment paper for cooking fasting food during Das Lakshana Parva. However, it does provide general guidelines about fasting and food preparation during this period. During Das Lakshana Parva (the Digambar 10-day festival), fasting typically involves complete abstinence from food or drink, though boiled water is permissible during the daytime [1][4]. For those who cannot fast fully, eating only one meal counts as limited fasting [1][4]. The scriptures emphasize avoiding harm to living beings, including earth-bodied, fire-bodied, air-bodied, plant-bodied, and mobile-bodied beings [3]. Food preparation rules for ascetics prohibit accepting food from pots sealed with clay, shellac, cloth, iron, wood, or other materials, as opening such seals may harm living beings [3]. Additionally, food mixed with flowers, seeds, or other vegetables is considered improper for ascetics [5]. In general, for laypeople preparing fasting food during Das Lakshana, using parchment paper would be a practical concern about avoiding harm to living beings and maintaining purity of food. Since parchment paper is a processed, non-living material, it would generally be acceptable for cooking, provided the food itself is prepared without violating Jain principles of non-violence (e.g., avoiding root vegetables, ensuring food is not cooked specifically for you if you are an ascetic). However, the specific use of parchment paper is not addressed in the provided sources, so you may wish to consult your local Jain spiritual teacher (Sadhu/Sadhvi) for guidance on this practical matter.
Based on the provided context, boiled water that has been heated with three boils (तीन उबाल) becomes achitta (free from living organisms) and is considered acceptable for use [1]. However, the context does not specify a particular duration in minutes for how long the water should be kept outside in a container to cool after boiling. The Nishith Sutra provides a related guideline for "dhovan" (wash) water, stating that it is not acceptable immediately after being prepared; it becomes acceptable only after approximately half an hour (आधा घण्टा) or a muhurta (48 minutes) [4]. The commentator (Churnikar) advised determining the time through discernment rather than a fixed rule [4]. While this specifically refers to wash water, it suggests a general principle that water needs some time to settle and become fully achitta before it is considered suitable for use.
This is a delicate family situation, and the key is to explain your family’s values to your children in a way that is honest, compassionate, and consistent, without undermining their mother. You can tell them that in our family, we follow the principle of *Ahimsa* (non-violence), which means we try to avoid causing harm or suffering to any living being [3]. Explain that eggs come from chickens, and the egg industry involves a lot of cruelty—hens are kept in tiny, crowded cages, are debeaked, and are treated like "egg-producing machines" [3][4]. Even unfertilized eggs support this industry, and a fertilized egg is the pre-birth stage of a chick [3][5]. So, for us, eating eggs is not in line with our commitment to compassion. Regarding the difference with your wife, it's important to be honest with your children without creating conflict. You can say something like: "Mommy and I have different views on this, and that's okay. We both love you very much. For me, following our Jain values of *Ahimsa* is very important, and that's why I choose not to eat eggs. You can make your own informed choice as you grow up, but I want to share with you why this matters to me." This approach respects your wife's autonomy while clearly communicating your own values and the reasoning behind them, allowing your children to understand the "why" rather than just a rule.
Your inspiration from Bhagwan Mahavir's story is well-founded. While in his mother Queen Trishala's womb, Mahavir remained completely motionless out of compassion, to avoid causing her any pain. However, this stillness made his mother deeply anxious, fearing something was wrong with her baby [2][3]. Realizing that even this brief stillness caused his parents such grief, he reflected that renouncing the world during their lifetime would surely break their hearts [3]. Therefore, he decided he would not take Diksha (initiation) until after his parents had passed away, so they would not suffer worry or sorrow on his account [3][4]. This decision reflects his profound compassion and sense of obligation to his parents. The context also shows that this principle of seeking parental permission was standard practice; for instance, Lord Mahavir told the young Aimutta that Diksha could not be given without his parents' consent, and Megh Kumar similarly sought his parents' blessing before initiation [1][5]. So Mahavir's choice was not just a personal one but a model of respect and care for family, even while on the spiritual path.
The Visahara Phulinga (also spelled Visahar Fullinga) mantra is a protective Jain hymn associated with Lord Parshvanatha. The core mantra is: **"Namiuna Pāsa Visahara Vasaha Jina Fulinga"** [1][5]. This is an 18-letter mantra considered effective against all types of pain and affliction, and it is implicit in stanza 18 of the Namiun Sutra [5]. There is also a longer version composed by Acharya Shri Mantung Suri that adds symbolic syllables: **"Om Rhim Shreem Arham Namiuna Pāsa Visahara Vasaha Jina Fuling Rhim Namaha"** [1][5]. In this version, "Om" symbolizes the five supreme entities, "Hrim" the three worlds, "Shrim" spiritual wealth, and "Arham" the worshipful one [5]. The mantra is said to pacify evil planetary effects, disease, epidemics, and acute fever when recited or held in the throat (remembered) [1][2][5].
Based on the provided context, the "Visahara Phulinga" mantra is a hymn dedicated to Lord Pārsva Nātha, who is attended by the deity Pārsva Yaksha. The mantra is believed to eliminate disturbances in the universe and destroy the poison of snakes and cobras. Lord Pārsva Nātha is described as an abode of auspiciousness and prosperity. The context states that a person who always remembers this hymn will be rid of misfortunes, fatal diseases, epidemics, and deadly fevers. Even a simple obeisance offered to Lord Pārsva Nātha is said to result in many good things, and because of these prayers, human beings and animals will not suffer from sickness and poverty. Furthermore, upon attaining right faith as preached by him, which is considered more valuable than the most precious heavenly jewels, living beings can easily attain the place of immortality. The hymn concludes with a prayer to the greatly renowned Lord Parśvanātha to bestow the seeds of attaining perfect knowledge in all future births.